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MP to tackle police chief over force's failure on Omid Ali rape case

AN MP has said police have no excuse for ignoring a call for help by a vulnerable teen who was being sexually abused.

The girl told officers she was being abused by Omid Ali in January 2012 and Oxfordshire County Council’s safeguarding team was also told.

But no action was taken and the 21-year-old went on to abuse her again and let his friends have sex with her. He was not arrested until November last year.

Sentencing Ali, of James Wolfe Road in Headington, Oxford, to 14 years in prison on Monday for rape, Judge Gordon Risius criticised the police for not acting sooner.

Nicola Blackwood, Conservative MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, yesterday said: “Following the horrendous wake-up call of Operation Bullfinch, there is no excuse for cases of child sexual exploitation not to be fully and effectively investigated in Oxfordshire.

“Young victims like this girl who face abuse and intimidation have a right to expect that our police and social services will protect and support them when they come forward.

“I will be raising this case with the Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner.”

Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Sara Thornton has said: “Once this investigation has concluded we will, of course, publish the findings of the investigation and details of any subsequent disciplinary proceedings or sanctions.

“This is about a serious crime being reported and the investigation of that crime not being progressed for an unacceptable period of time.”

Council spokesman Paul Smith said: “There was no indication that this was a grooming case at that time. Neither the girl nor her family was known to social services.

“There was therefore no requirement on the information provided by the police for any involvement from social services.”